Many people believe that using a cloud storage service like Google Drive is a sufficient backup. It isn't. Cloud storage is sync, not backup — and the difference matters when ransomware or accidental deletion strikes.
Sync vs Backup
Sync keeps files available across devices — and faithfully propagates deletion, corruption, and encryption across all of them. A backup is a separate, recoverable copy that survives what happens to the live data.
The 3-2-1 Rule
A reliable backup strategy keeps:
- 3 copies of your data
- on 2 different media
- with 1 copy off-site
Test It or Trust Nothing
An untested backup is a hope, not a backup. Restore a file regularly — ideally automatically — so you know recovery works before you need it.
What About Ransomware?
Modern ransomware targets backups too. Your off-site, immutable copy is your safety net. If your "backup" lives on the same machine (or same account) as your data, it's not really separate.
Not sure where you stand? Get a backup assessment. It's the single most cost-effective thing you can do this quarter.
